KISHAPU cotton growers may have something to smile about after authorities in the district made the decision to bring in a new variety of seed that is drought resistant.
Climate change has caused majority of
the farmers in many parts of the country, including Kishapu District to
abandon the cultivation of the crop.
The decision to use the new variety of
cotton seed was made during the full council meeting held yesterday in
Kishapu District and the announcement made by the Council Chairman, Mr
Boniphace Butondo.
Earlier on, Special Seats Councilor from
Laghana Ward, Ms Janeth Solo presented some challenges faced by cotton
growers such as lack of money to buy quality seed and absence of a
demonstration farm to help farmers learn how to improve crop production.
Mr Butondo said the councillors agreed
to distribute improved seed for use by farmers at a subsidized price in
this new farming season in the district to boost cotton productivity.
Cotton Development Trust Fund (CDTF)
will help the farmers to purchase the improved cotton seed - UKM08 at
700/- per kilogram, an initiative that is expected to raise production
and increase motivation of cotton growers.
Chairman of District Council urged all
councillors and extension officers to educate farmers on modern farming
practices to increase production. Deputy District Agricultural Officer
Mr Godwin Everygist said distribution of new variety of cotton seed have
begun and farmers have shown interest to buy them.
Cotton Inspection Officer from Tanzania
Cotton Board (TCB) in Kishapu district Mr Thomas Tiluhongelwa said the
district requires around 1.4 million kilogrammes of quality but has so
far distributed 841,000 kilogrammes.
Owing to climate change seed breeders,
working through publicly funded research institutes in many parts of the
world are developing new crop varieties with traits that allow them to
withstand extreme weather - and not just drought, but also flooding, and
frost.
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